Forward Air Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Shareholders' Equity, Stock Options and Net Income per Share - Net Income per Share (Details)

Shareholders' Equity, Stock Options and Net Income per Share - Net Income per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income and comprehensive income	$ 17,045us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 16,744us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 17,178us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 10,202us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 15,584us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 14,197us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 13,831us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 10,855us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 61,169us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 54,467us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 52,668us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic									(404)
Numerator for net income and comprehensive income to common shareholders									$ 60,765	$ 54,467	$ 52,668
Denominator for basic income per share - weighted-average shares									30,599	30,135	28,967
Denominator for diluted income per share - adjusted weighted-average shares									31,072	30,762	29,536
Basic net income per share	$ 0.56us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.56us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.51us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.47us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.46us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.37us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.99us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.81us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.82us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.54us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.55us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.33us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.50us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.46us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.45us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.36us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.96us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.77us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.78us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Total number anti-dilutive options and non-vested shares excluded from income per diluted share computation									99	192	248
Equity Option [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment									431	615	528
Total number anti-dilutive options and non-vested shares excluded from income per diluted share computation									99	192	226
Key Employee Performance Share Based Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment									42	12	41
Performance Shares [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Total number anti-dilutive options and non-vested shares excluded from income per diluted share computation											22